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US4930864A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Domed segmented lens systems

Assignee: ELTEC INSTRUMENTS Inc A CORP OF FL
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Filing: 1988-08-02
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2008-08-02
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Abstract

Abstract An improved optical assembly which provides a panoramic field of view for infrared motion detection. In one form of the invention the optical assembly comprises a spherical section having an inner surface and an outer spherical surface, the outer spherical surface having a radius of curvature centered in a focal region which is suitable for placement of an infrared detector. The inner surface of the spherical section comprises a plurality of circular convex lenses, each lens having an optical axis passing through the focal region. The combination of the outer spherical surface with each circular convex lens forms a biconvex lens having a focal point in the focal region. Radiation received by each biconvex lens from a zone in the field of view is focused in the focal region for sensing by the infrared detector.

Inventors

  • 👤 Walter Kuster
  • 👤 Hans J. Keller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 23:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/0025; G02B13/00; G02B13/14; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/04; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/19; G08B13/193; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/01

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 70 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having a radius of curvature originating at the central point and the inner surface comprising a plurality of convex lenses, each lens having an optical axis passing through the focal region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 70 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having a radius of curvature originating at the central point and the inner surface comprising a plurality of convex lenses, each lens having an optical axis passing through the focal region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The optical assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of each convex lens has a radius of curvature equal and opposite to the outer spherical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The optical assembly of claim 2 wherein the outer spherical surface is a hemisphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The optical assembly of claim 2 wherein the optical axis of each lens passes through the central point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The optical assembly of claim 2 wherein the spherical section has an index refraction equal to 1.5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The optical assembly of claim 2 wherein the spherical section is formed of polyethylene plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 90 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a plurality of circular lenses each having an optical axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, said lenses being arranged in a spherical matrix having a radius of curvature originating at the central point with each optical axis passing through the focal region; and wherein the outer surface of each circular lens is convex and has a radius of curvature originating in the focal region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 90 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a plurality of circular lenses each having an optical axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, said lenses being arranged in a spherical matrix having a radius of curvature originating at the central point with each optical axis passing through the focal region; and wherein the outer surface of each circular lens is convex and has a radius of curvature originating in the focal region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The optical assembly of claim 7 wherein the outer surface of each lens is convex and is formed along the radius of curvature of the spherical matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 11 words
The optical assembly of claim 7 wherein each lens is biconvex.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 50 words
The optical assembly of claim 9 wherein the outer surface of each biconvex lens has a radius of curvature originating at the central point and the inner surface of each biconvex lens has a radius of curvature equal and opposite to the radius of curvature of the outer lens surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 18 words
The optical assembly of claim 9 wherein each biconvex lens has an index of refraction equal to 1.5.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The optical assembly of claim 11 wherein the spherical matrix forms a hemisphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 15 words
The optical assembly of claim 9 wherein each convex lens is formed from polyethylene plastic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 28 words
The optical assembly of claim 13 wherein each polyethylene plastic lens has a maximum thickness of 0.5 mm in order to transmit infrared radiation to the focal region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 95 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a radiation sensor positioned in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a first spherical surface having a radius of curvature originating at the radiation sensor; and a plurality of circular biconvex lenses each having an inner surface directed toward the radiation sensor and an outer surface directed away from the radiation sensor, said outer lens surfaces being evenly distributed along the first surface; and wherein the outer surface of each lens has the same radius of curvature as the first surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 95 words
An optical assembly for providing a panoramic field of view about a radiation sensor positioned in a focal region for sensing radiation, the assembly comprising: a first spherical surface having a radius of curvature originating at the radiation sensor; and a plurality of circular biconvex lenses each having an inner surface directed toward the radiation sensor and an outer surface directed away from the radiation sensor, said outer lens surfaces being evenly distributed along the first surface; and wherein the outer surface of each lens has the same radius of curvature as the first surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
The optical assembly of claim 15 wherein the inner and outer surfaces of each lens have opposite radii of curvature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 14 words
The optical assembly of claim 16 wherein the first spherical surface is a hemisphere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 79 words
A segmented lens sysem for focusing incoming radiation from a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region comprising: a spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer spherical surface ahving a single radius of curvature about the central point; a plurality of convex lenses formed in the spherical section between the outer surface and the inner surface, each convex lens hving an optical axis passing through the focal region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 79 words
A segmented lens sysem for focusing incoming radiation from a panoramic field of view about a central point in a focal region comprising: a spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer spherical surface ahving a single radius of curvature about the central point; a plurality of convex lenses formed in the spherical section between the outer surface and the inner surface, each convex lens hving an optical axis passing through the focal region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 74 words
A panoramic infrared detector comprising: an infrared detector element; a spherical section about the infared detector, the spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer spherical surface having a single radius of curvature about the infrared detector element; a plurality of convex lens formed in the spherical section between the outer spherical surface and the inner surface; and wherein the optical axis of each lens intersects the detector element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 74 words
A panoramic infrared detector comprising: an infrared detector element; a spherical section about the infared detector, the spherical section having an outer spherical surface and an inner surface, the outer spherical surface having a single radius of curvature about the infrared detector element; a plurality of convex lens formed in the spherical section between the outer spherical surface and the inner surface; and wherein the optical axis of each lens intersects the detector element.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-06-04 1993-12-04 1994-06-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-06-04 1997-12-04 1998-06-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-06-04 2001-12-04 2002-06-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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